Convertible bed



July 3, 1962 s. c. WILLIS 3,041,634

CONVERTIBLE BEDv Filed May 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 54 ,Sumnerct mmf S. C. WILLIS CONVERTIBLE BED July 3, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay 2 1958 lNvErtn-ola Sumner C mlls ATTNEYs f me @www July 3, 1962 S.C. WILLIS CONVERTIBLE BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 2, 1958 INVENTORSum/mer C'. WLZZLS LV1/1w ATTOR admit Patented VJuly 3, 1962 Filed May2, 1958, Ser. No. 732,714 Claims. (Cl. 5-13) This invention relates to aconvertible bed, such as a sofa-bed.

An object of this invention is to provide ina sofabed an improvedmattress-supporting mechanism having superior operating efficiency andpermitting the very best appearance, comfort and convenience.

Another object is to provide such a bed mechanism which is lesscomplicated yand less expensive but which at the same time is sturdier,more rugged and more reliable than previous sofa-bed mechanisms.

A further object is to provide a convertible bed mechanism which doesnot require critical tolerances in manufacture and which can be massproduced at relatively low cost with uniformly excellent quality.

A more specific object is to provide a four-section sofabed mechanismfor use with a full or even an extra length mattress and which togetherwith lthe mattress can be folded easily and very compactly with aminimum of waste space into a sofa frame.

These and other objects will in part be pointed out in and in partunderstood from the following decsription.

A particularly popular style of sofa today is that having a lengthsuicient to seat no more than two or three persons. Because the lengthof the frame in such a sofa is not as long as a full length bed it isnecessary,

vwhen Amaking a convertible sofa-bed in this style of frame, to providea bed mechanism which unfolds from the frame and supports a mattressextending with its length at right angles to the frame. One of the mostd'u'iicult problems in the past with this kind of unit has been toprovide a folding bed mechanism which is suiciently compact, lightweightand easy to operate and yet suiciently strong and sag free.

When a bed mechanism is folded within a furniture frame to make a sofa,it is desirable for best seating comfort for the seat cushion platformprovided by the bed mechanism to have a limited depth .from front torear, to` have a certain height off the floor, to have a slight tiltdownward to the back, and'to be firm and sag lfree without being sosolid and unyieding as to be uncomfortable as a sofa. It is alsodesirable that the back edge of the seat platform lie very closelybeneath the lower edge of the fixed back Icushion of the sofa frame sothat when a person sits on the unit there will -be no gapping in thisregion to spoil the appearance of the unit or to permit the seatcushions to creep in under the back. Furthermore, with some models it isdesirable to have the frame raised olf the floor on short legs. Thismeans that the bed mechanism when folded the frame must -be supportedhigh enough above the floor so that it is above the top of these shortlegs and thus remains effectively hidden. So far as is known no previoussofa bed mechanism of suiiicient simplicity, rigidity, and sturdinesshas been able to meet all of these requirements.

The mechanism provided according to the invention and described hereindoes, however, possess all of the above desirable qualities. Moreoverthis mechanism can be made long enough to accommodate a full '.78 inchmattress and support it in hed position so that it is usable throughoutits full length. A sofa-bed incorporating this mechanism has, whenclosed, the appearance and comfort of a most stylish conventional sofaand gives no hint of its dual purpose, while in open or bed position itprovides a full width, full length double rbed.r

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sofa bedunit having a matress supporting mechanism consisting of four sections,an inner, an intermediate, a connecting, and an end section,seiiallypivoted to each other. The inner and intermediate sections aresuspended by links from a stationary sofa frame and, with the connectingand end sections, are adapted when in bed position to extend outwardfrom the sofa lframe and be supported horizontally above the floor tosupport a mattress. When folded, the inner section is positioned at therear of the unit, generally vertically and closely behind and within thefixed back cushion of the sofa frame. The intermediate section `thenextends forwardly from the lower end of the inner sectiony approximatelyhorizontally just above the floor. The connecting section extendstherefrom upward vertically behind the front of the sofa frame. Finally,the end section is folded back generally at rightV angles to theconnecting section and approximately parallel to the intermediatesection so that its upper side forms a platform for the sofa seatcushions. With the sections so folded, the forward part of the :bedmattress is ydoubled-over between the intermediate and end sectionswhile itsy rear portion extends vertically upward n front of the innersection. When folded,

'i these `sections are rigidly held vrelative to each other and to theframe. The rearwardly extending end of the end section'lies just beneaththe -lower edge of the stationary back cushion of lthe sofa frame.Because the top surface of the lfolded end section forms a platform forthe L sofa seat cushions, the Weight of a person on the seat cushions isthus transmitted through the folded mechanism to the'sofa vframeandthere is no sagging or slipping of the seat cushions, although thedoubled-:over mattress compressed beneath the end section provides acomfortable amount of resilience under the seat cushions. The endsection in the nal stages of folding-up this bed mechanism moves mainlyhorizontally to its final position so that the amount of clearancenecessary between the rearwardly extending end of this end section andthe bottom of the backrest ofthe sofa frame can be made very small, forexample, of the order of one inch. :The

suspending links which pivotally connect the bed sections tothe sofaframe are proportioned so that the inner section when completely foldedVis almost exactly vertical thereby utilizing to best -advantageIthc-,limited space available the sofa frame. When the bed sections arebeing folded and unfolded the suspending 'links act to keep the lowestportions of the mechanism from passing too near the lloor or fromrubbing against portions of the sofa frame itself. When the bed isunfolded these links,

together with legs which unfolded and extend down to the oor, supportthe four articulated sections rigidly in line at a convenient heightabove the floor. When the 'bed is being folded a unique corner linkagearrangement, closely similar to that disclosed and claimed in theinventors ccs-pending application, Serial No. 693,637, now Patent No.2,991,484, with great force pulls the end section over and down parallelto theV intermediate section, thereby compressing the forward part ofthe mattress in doubled-over relation between them.- As a vconsequence,the unit moves witheifortless ease into fully closed position and thereis no necessity for manually operating locks or latching cams, or ofwrestling against the mattress to fold it over. This bed functions soeasily that even a little girl can operate it.

A lbetter understanding of the invention together with a fullerappreciation of its many advantages will best be gained from thefollowing description given in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

- s FIGURE' 1 isa perspective view of a ing features ofthe invention andshowing the unit in its completely folded position wherein it does notreveal its dual purpose; 'Y Y l,

FIGURE 2 istan'other view of the unit of FIGUREl but shown herevwiththefseat cushion removedand the bed mechanisnpartly unfolded; iFIGURE 3 isstill anotherv-iewv of the unit showingthe sofa bed embodybedmechanism completely unfolded and with the .Vmattri-ess shown indottedoutline;

FIGURE 4 is across-sectionview-of the unit in FIG- URE 1slightlyenlarged and showing'one side of the bed mechanism in completely'folded position, it fbeing understood that the oppositeside is amiirrorimagev of this '-*FroURE 5 is a View similar to' FIGURE 4 butshowing l.the bed mechanism slightly unfolded and corresponding to itsposition in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 isa view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the mechanism stillmore. unfolded;

Y FIGURE. 8 is anV opposite side view cfa-portion of the mechanism takenin the position Vof FIGURE 7;-

FIGURE 9-is aside view of the mechanismshowing it completely unfoldedandcorresponding to itsposition in FIGURE 3; and e Y Y FIGURE 10.is aside view FIGURE 7- is a view showing the mechanism still more unfoldedthan in FIGURE 6;

ofV a'portion of a modified f front end of this connecting section 44 ispivoted to the end `section 46 at 45. When this bed mechanism 14 isunfolded then these four sections extend horizontally in line outwardfrom frame 12 to support the mattress on a tau-tbed spring 48 (seeFIGURE 3) which is attached to them along their inner edges and `along afront tubular cross brace 50Vand varearrail 5-1. 'The rear rail 5'1,when thebed is unfolded, lies forward of and approximately on a levelwiththe front bottom edge '52 of the stationary back cushion 18.lIr'hus, no partfof the mattress is obstructed so that its full lengthis usable. The distance between the front brace tube 50 and rear rail 51can be made suic-ient to accommodate a mattress 78 inches long, forexample. t

When the bed is unfolded as seen in FIGURE 9, inner section 24 issupported horizontally above the floor by swing link 26 and byintermediate section 40. The front end of the latter is supported by afoldable leg 54 pivoted at 56 to a tab 58 iixed to this section.Similarly, the front end of endv section 46 is supported by a foldableleg 60 pivoted to it at 6 1. To prevent the forward end of inner section24 Afrom sagging under a load, long link 35 in the position shownin-FIGURE 9 is rigidly held parallel to. and'above section 24and'section 40, the front end bedvmechanism also embodying features ofthe invention.

Y .A sofa bed 10, shown completely folded as a sofa in FIGURE 1,generally comprises a stationary Vframe 12 in which is suspended amattress-supporting mechanism, generally'indicatedat 14.ARemovably.positioned' on top of this' mechanism arey :the seat cushions1-6 whose rear edges abut a back cushion'lV permanently axed to theframe. To unfold the unit and make a bed, therseat cushionsare removedand, as-seen in FIGURE 2, the rontjof the rfolded bed mechanism islifted up and swung outward, being unfolded progressively, as indicatedin FIGURlESi 5 through 7, to the completely unfolded posi` nonindicator` in FIGURES 3 and 9.

lWhen the seat cushions 16 have been removed from thefsofa-bed 10 andmattress-,supporting bed mechanism 14 .`is partially unfolded', asshownin FIGURE 2, a mat*- rnechanism 14.

Y tress 20.1may be seen foldedback uponitsel-f withinth'eof link 55being pivoted at 62 to an angle link 64 which inturn is pivoted at 65 tosection 40, Part of any weight resting on the rear of section 40 istransmitted to the j yframe through link l by its attachment lnear itsfront end at point 66 to asupporting'link 68. The lower end :of thelatter is pivoted at 70 to a strap 72 fixed on the side of the frame.

In the position shown in FIGURE 9, upward thrust Y of supporting'link 68against link 35 tends to rotate angle 3, the mattress 20 Vis supported aconvenient Vdis n above the VHoor "by theA unfolded bed mechanismY 14,as shown in the dotted lines in this drawing The width Vand length ofthemattress-and its supporting mechanism are proportioned so that one ortvvopz-vr-Y sons can` sleep on the bed lying along the directionY oflink6-4 clockwise. YThe latter, however, is locked in the position shown-by the push of a thrust link 74 pivoted to it at point75, yand by thepull of link 35. The distance between pivots 62 and 65, and theVdistance between pivot 34' at the rear of link 35 and pivot 39 joiningsections'24 and 40, are such thatwhen the sections are being folded orunfolded, as indicated `for example in FIGURE 5, link 35 moves closelyparallel to and beneath end section 46. This provides a double safeguardagainst the end section sagging under a heavy weightwhen in final foldedposition.

As seen in FIGURE 9, the forward end of thrust link 74 isrpivoted Vat 76to the upper portion of a short pivoted crank-arm 78, which here extendsvertically, downward below a point `80 at whichv it is pivoted tosection 40. Forward thrust of link74 `against pivot 76 tends to rotatearm 78 clockwise around pivot 80, but this in turn is resisted by aforward pull on the lower end of larm 78 by an articulated linkage 82pivoted to it at 83. Linkage 82,

1 which comprises two short iengths 84 and 85 pivoted the doable anewe2, te. perpendicular Ito the length or frame 12.

As seen in FIGURES 3 and 9; the bed meohanism14 includes-four sections,an inner section, an intermediate section, aV connecting section andanend section, -gen-y *,'vReferr-ing to FIGURE 9, the Yinnermost ofthese -sections, inner section 24,is suspendedfor outward and upf Wardmovement Vto. the positionshownY by 'a rear-swing 2 6 pivoted at28r tosection 2.4 andfpivoted at '3 0 tojY a bfvaCkct 32 fastened tostationary frame 12. Nearjthe forward-end of sectionl24 is atab 53 Vtowhich-is pivotedA at 34 along link 35. The-rear end of the latter iscurved downward and is pivoted at 36 to, a' connecting or Y strut-link37 whose rearend inl-turn is pivoted at- 38 to VswinglinkZ,`

together at V86, pulls against its own forward pivot point 88 on a rigidcorner plate 90. The latter at its upper end is pivoted at 92 to endsection 46. n

. The pull by linkagel 82 on corner plate 90, which pull tends to rotateit clockwise 'about pivot 92, is resisted by a counter thrust ona pin 94carried by corner 90 just yabove pivot 92. This pin rides in a slot 98in the rear end of a link, 100 and, in the position shown in FIGURE 9,abuts the 'front end of the slot, -thus preventing clockwisefrotation ofcorner plate 90. The forward end'of link 100 is pivoted `at point 104 toa leg link 106. The rear'en'd of the latter is pivoted at 108 toconnecting section 44 and the forward end of this link 106 is pivoted atV110. tov leg 60.

Atrthe beginningof folding of the bed as seen in FIG- URE'7, end section46 is manually lifted from. the iloor and pivots around its point ofattachment to connecting` section 44. v "I'hiscauses leg link 106 toshift forward relative to end section 46 and in so doingfto fold leg 60.During final folding or initial unfolding of the bed, as indicated inFIGURES4 and 5,:leg link 106 lies at 1a slight angle beneath 'endsection` 46-with long link 35 moving parallel to and just beneath and inthe same vertical plane.

- In the positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, end section 46 andintermediate 4section 40 are rigidly held `approximately parallel toeach other but with `the rear end of the end section 46, i.e. the end ofthis section nearest back cushion 1S, an inch or so lower than itsforward end relative to section 4t). The rigid locking of these sectionsis accomplished by corner plate 9i) and linkage 82 whose action incooperation with other elements will be described shortly.

In the position shown in FlGURE 4, both of the foldable legs 54 and 6i)lie generally parallel to each other and to their respective sections 4d`and 46, leg S4 being held flush against the under side of intermediatesection 4t) so that no part of the folded mechanism is visible beneathsofa frame 12. During the initial stages of the opening of the bed, asindicated in FIGURES 2 and 5, the unfolding of leg 54 is controlled sothat its lower end clears a rail 112 which is xed across the lower frontof the sofa frame and rigidly connects its two sides. To accomplish thisunfolding, leg 54 has a longitudinal slot 114 in it which engages a pin116 projecting from. a tab 118 on crank-arm 73. As the latter isrotated, by the pull of thrust link 74, from parallel position relativeto section 44B as shown in FIGURE 4 through the position shown in FIGURE5 to the perpendicular position asl seen in FIGURE 6, pin 116 movesupward along slot 114. This unfolds leg 54 at a rate such that the lowerend of this leg easily clears cross-rail 112 without requiring theforward end of intermediate section 4@ to swing up and out at an angletoo steep for easy opening.

As the bed sections are unfolded beyond the position shown in FIGURE 6to that shown in FIGURE 7, connecting section 44 moves about its pivot42 into straight line relation with intermediate section 4t). 'In movingfrom the position shown in FIGURE 6, the connecting section, which nearits upper end (see also FIGURE 8) is pivoted at 126 to a throat link122, draws the rear end of the latter forward, this rear end having aprojecting pin 124 which slides in a longitudinal slot 126 in section40. When sections 46 and 44 have reached a straightline relationship, asshown for example in FIGURE 7, pin 124 will be pulled against the rearof crank-arm 7S thereby doubly locking it in this position. When theseelements are in the position shown in FIGURE 5, for example, pin 124abuts the rear end of slot 126 and prevents further inward folding ofconnecting section 44 yabout its pivot 42.

As the bed sections are unfolded further to the position shown in FIGURE7, corner plate 0 swings about its upper pivot 92 so that it extendsdown beneath the bed sections. In doing this, the plate draws downwardwith itself a short strut 13) whose upper end (see .also FIG- URE 8) ispivoted at 332 to a tab 134 on connecting section 44. This strut iscoupled to the plate 9@ by a pin 136 projecting from the plate andriding in a longitudinal slot BS in the strut L36. As seen in FIGURES 2and 7, the struts it?, one on each side of the bed mechanism, arerigidly joined together by cross braces 14d which help to insure thatthe two sides of the bed mechanism i4 move as a rigid unit. When the bedis folded these struts 134i and their connecting braces 146 are foldedflush against connecting section 44. However, when the bed is open, toprevent the braces from interfering with the bedspring as it deflectsunder the weight of the mattress and a person upon it, the braces andstruts are swung downward away from section 44 in the manner justdescribed. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the folding legs 54 carry .asimilar pair of braces 141. These members along with brace 50 and rail51 give great transverse rigidity to the bed mechanism 14 and insurethat the two sides move in unison during folding and unfolding of thebed.

To fold the bed back into the frame from the extended position shown inFIGURES 3 and 9, the end section 46 is lifted back through the positionshown in FIGURE 7 to that in FIGURE 6 wherein the end section 46 issection.

disposed approximately at right angles to connecting section 44 andwherein this section 44 is being brought up toward right-anglerelationship with intermediate section 40. Progressing to the positionin FIGURE 5, the latter section 4i) is by now shifted somewhat back intothe frame 12 so that the crank-arm 7S has rotated an amount clockwiseabout point Sil. In so doing, this arm, pulling on linkage 82 with greatforce, draws an upper flange 142 (see also FIGURE 8) of cornerplate 90into extended contact with end section 46 and also (see FIG- URE 8)draws a front or lower tab 144 of plate 90 against strut 130 whichthereby is forced tightly against connecting section 44. This yaction ofcorner plate 90 thus draws the connecting section 44 and the end section46, as well as the connecting section 44 and the intermediate section4tl into approximately right angle relationship. vThe forward part ofthe mattress (not shown here) is thus compressed and folded double uponitself, and the end and connecting sections are held with great rigidityin folded position relative to the intermediate Because of the powerfuldrawing together of these sections produced by the action of cornerplate 90, upon movement of intermediate section 40 back and down withinframe 12, a person closing the bed is saved the strenuous effort offolding the end section 46 over the intermediate section against theresistance of the doubled-over mattress 20.

To complete the folding of the bed, the sections 40, 44 and 46 nowfolded as shown in FIGURE 5 are lowered as a rigid unit from thisposition to that in FIGURE 4 wherein they .are fully seated within frame12. rtheir weight is largely counterbalanced by tension springs 146 (seeFIGURE 5) xed to the rear end of frame strap 72 at l48 and connected at150 to the lower end of supporting link 68. These springs are stretchedwhen link GS swings counterclockwise .about its pivot from the positionin FIGURE 5 to that in FIGURE 4.

Even though during this nal folding the crank-arm 78 continues to rotatefrom the position in FIGURE 5 clockwise into side-by-side relation withsection 40 as shown in FIGURE 4, the inward and downward pullingmovement of linkage 82 against corner plate 90 ends when the mechanismin folding from the position shown in FIGURE 6 reaches the position inFIGURE 5. Here, crank .arm 78 is parallel with linkage 82, the lowerportion S4 of the linkage lying side-by-side along arm 78 with thelinkages pivot 86lying generally opposite and on the same axis with thearms pivot 80. As crank armv 7S continues to rotate clockwise from theposition in FIGURE 5 to that in FIGURE 4, a raised flap 152 (see alsoFIGURE 6) integral with it bears against thetop side of the lowerportion 84 of linkage 82. This rotates portion S4 in unison withcrank-arm 78 around its pivot 8 3 and the linkage pivot 86, which twopivots in all positions between FIGURES 4 and 5 have effectively acommon axis. As a consequence, the tension force developed 1n the upperportion 85 of linkage 82 can be brought to a maximum in the positionthereafter be maintained Without further increase even though the lowerpivot point 83 of the linkage moves'past the'line of centers of pivots86 and 88. Thus, the very desirable self-locking action of a toggle isobtained but without encountering an excessive and possibly destructivebuild-up and then wasteful decrease in the link ten? sion as the pivotsmove past center. abutment of pin 124 at the rear end of slot 126insures that connecting section 44 will come to generally rightanglerelationship with intermediate section 40 and then stop and stay rigidunder the tension of linkage 82.

When the bed is in the fully folded position shown in FIGURE 4, the rearend of intermediate section 40 is suspended by inner section 24 which isnow substantially vertical, being held in this vertical position by link37 acting between pivots 36 and 38 to lock swing link 26 relative to theinner section. The weight of the front end of the folded sections ateach side is borne by the Throat link 122 by shown in FIGURE 5 and heavyweight.

Y additionally Vattractive to prospective buyers.

vto each other is allowed by corner 9G and linkage S2,

theseV sections are held almost as rigid relative to cach other and4frame 12 Vas though they were'welded in this y position. They thereforeprovide a steady, comfortable and saglessjsupport'for'the sofacushions.The presence of link 35, in the fully folded position in FIGURE 4,closely beneath leg` link lti additionally prevents Ysagging of theVrear end .of the end section when subjected to y As seen'in FIGURE 4,the top surface of the inner or rearmost end of folded end section 46 isspaced atV 156 by only a very short distance beneath the lower edge ofthe stationary back cushion 18. The leaving of such a small clearancehere is possiblebecausethe end section even before the b ed is finallyclosed has already been drawn down fullyrelative to the intermediatesection. Also, this top end Vmoyessubstantially only horizontallybackward yduringthe final sea-tingV of the mechanism within frame '12,.Thus, since the end section 45 is so rigidly held relativetointermediate section 40,.effectively no allowance here Ifor up and downplay ofthe end'section is necessary.

As seen only in FIGURE 3 there is resiliently fastened ltothe top end ofcorner plate at 16) and stretched to extend just behind along the topedge of frontboard 154,- ay flexible sheet 162 of a suitable paddedmaterial. When thel bed is folded this sheet serves to cover the top ofbedspring 48 and to protect and support the seat/cushions., Theforward'end of sheet 162 extends around transverse brace 50 and isfastened to the bedspring. The

' general ,way thisy sheet is attached to the bed mechanism and thepositionit lhas when the bed is folded are com-v pletely described inU.S'. Patent No. 2,752,613.

- FIGURE 10 shows a slightly different bed mechanism 110 which alsoembodies features of the invention. Mem-- bers and elements the same asthose in mechanism 14 shown in .thepreceding figures are given the samereference numbers. In FIGURE 10, the member correspondingY to leg 54 andcrank-arm 78 in FiGURE 9, is a' one piece leg-arm V172 which whenunfolded extends down tofthe floor. To permit adequate clearance forthis leg i 172 when folding and unfolding, the member (not shown)corresponding to the fixed transverse rail112 in FIGURE 9 can be madevery low above the door. In FIGURE l0, corner plate 90V has apunched-out integral tab 174 to which is rigidly fastened one end of atransverse brace 176, tab v174 and thisV brace being provided in placeof strut 130 and braces 140'in FIGURE 9.

y Ltywill now be apparent that each bed mechanism described herein issimplified in design and streamlined in appearance relative to previousbed mechanismsf When Vfully open, there are no metal parts or sharpcorners projectingup to the level of the mattress along its sides andthe mechanismV has a clean, low silhouette making it Only a moderatenumber of parts are needed in this mechanism and this 'means-anappreciable savings'in cost and a rethe back cushion, and theV pitch ofthe seat platform can befslightly'downward andjback,l as in aconventional sofa. Nolargeand wasteful*internalgspaces or clearance gapsbtween. frame andmechanismrare required to permit foldingi and unfoldingof the bed;

FIGURES 4 through`9Y were drawn to. scale from an actual bed mechanismand they show substantially exactly the relative sizes, shapesandpositions ofthe various parts and elements.

The description of the invention given Vherein is in- Vtendedv inillustration and not in limitation of it. Various changes ormodifications in the structure described may occur to those skilled inthe art and these can be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention as set forth.

i I claim:

l l. 'An improved convertible bed comprising a stationward above saidsecond section from the upper end of said third section and slopingslightly downward'with its rear end extending closely beneath said backrest, along link pivoted near its rear end to the lower part of saidiirst section, a crank link pivoted below its upper end just rearwardVof the front end of said second section, means connectingthe front endof said long link and the upper end of said crank link, a folding legpivoted to said second section immediately'in front of said crank linkand coupled thereto by a pin and slot connection to fold and unfold so`as' to clear said frontrrail, a rear swing link pivoted at its rear endto the upper end of said irst section and at its forward end pivotedY tosaid frame behind said back rest, a strut link pivoted at its upper endnear the middle of said swing link andY at its lower end pivoted to therear endof said long link, forward swing link means pivoted at one endto said frame and pivoted at its other end near the forward end of saidlong link, a corner plate pivoted at its upper rear end to said fourthsection rearward of its pivot connection to said third section, saidplate having two transverse shoulders at right angles to each other andadapted to bear against said fourth and third sections respectively tohold them generally Vperpendicular when folded, two short links seriallypivoted together at a central point and with their front end pivoted tosaid plate near its lower forward end and pivoted at their rear end tosaid crank link near its lower end, n Vsaid central pivot point of saidshort links when said sections are folded lying opposite the pivotconnection of said crank link to said second section, said short linkspullingsaid second and third sections generally perpendicular andpulling said plate against said third and fourth sections to hold themgenerally perpendcular, a second folding leg pivoted to said fourthsection near its outer end, and a leg actuating link pivoted betweensaid second leg and said third section to fold and unfold said leg.

V2. The structure as in claim l wherein said long link and said legactuating link when said sections are folded lie closely parallel toeach other in the same vertical plane and abut when an excessive load isplaced on the folded over fourth section.

3. The structure as in claim 2 in further combination with a strutpivoted Vto said third section near its upper end and adapted to folddown against said sections, a cross brace carried by said'strut, and apin and slot connection coupling said strut and said plate.

4; An improved convertible bed comprising a stationary frame having aback rest, two sides and a lower front rail connecting said sides, afirst, a second, a third anda fourth bed section serially pivoted endto, end, said sections when folded lying with said first sectiongenerally verticalY at the back'of said frame behind said back rest,

said second section extending forward generally horizontally from thelower end of said first section, said third section extending upwardfrom the front end of said second section and with saidfourth sectionextending backward above said second section from the upper end of said.third section and sloping slightly downward with its rear end extendingclosely beneath said back rest, a long link pivoted near its rear end tothe lower part of said first section, a folding arm pivoted below itsupper end just rearward of the front end of said second section, a cranklink pivoted near the middle of said second section and having its upperend pivoted to the forward end of said long link, linkage meansconnecting said crank link and the upper end of said folding arm, a rearswing link pivoted at its rear end to the upper end of said irst sectionand at its forward end pivoted to said frame behind said back rest, aconnecting link pivoted at its upper end near the middle of said rearswing link and at its lower end pivoted to the rear end of said longlink, forward swing link means pivoted at one end to said frame andpivoted at its other end -near the forward end of said long link, acorner plate pivoted at its upper rear end to said fourth sectionrearward of its pivot connection to said third section, said platehaving two transverse shoulders at right angles to each other andadapted to bear against said fourth and third sections respectively tohold them generally perpendicular when folded, two short links seriallypivoted together at a central point and with their front end pivoted tosaid plate near its lower forward end and pivoted at their rear end tosaid folding arm near its downward end, said central pivot point of saidshort links when said sections are folded lying opposite the pivotconnection of said folding arm to said second section, said short linkspulling said second and third sections generally perpendicularand-pulling said plate against said third and fourth sections to holdthen generally perpendic` ular, a folding leg pivoted to said fourthsection near its outer end, and a leg actuating link pivoted betweensaid leg and said third section to fold and unfold said leg, said longlink and said leg actuating link Iwhen said sections are folded lyingclosely adjacent each other in the same vertical plane whereby anexcessive load on said folded-over fourth section causes them to abutand prevent sagging.

5. In an improved sofa bed mechanism of the character described, anintermediate section, a connecting section, an end section,said'sections being pivoted serially together and adapted when folded tolie with the intermediate section generally horizontal the end sectiongenerally parallel above it and with the connecting section generallyvertical and perpendicular to said intermediate and end sections, andwhen unfolded being adapted to lie generally horizontally ina straightline, a front swing link and a rear swing member connected to saidmechanism to suspend it from a stationary frame, a crank member pivotedat a rst point to said intermediate section near its forward end, meansfor swinging said crank member downward and forward to generallyperpendicular relation with said intermediate section when said sectionsare unfolded and backward and up beneath or alongside said inner sectionwhen said sections are folded, a first leg pivoted to said end sectionand adapted when said sections are unfolded to extend down to supportsaid endV -section horizontally above the floor, and a second legconnected to said crank member for folding and unfolding, said secondleg being pivoted to said intermediate section immediately in front ofsaid crank member and being coupled thereto by a pin and slot connectionto fold and unfold so as to clear a front portion of the frame, said pinsliding along said slot as said crank member folds so that said secondleg folds at a faster rate than said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

